~ Types of Judging Points ~

Obstacles: Team performance to be scored at various points on trail.

Observations: Simple tasks judged on trail as "pass bys" or in camp presentations at check in or out.

Soundness Check: Prior to riding out - trotting in hand or ridden observation for soundness of legs. If soundness level is hard to determine, riders may be asked to trot horses in circles, in hand or by lounging, for further observation by judge or judges.

Finish: Back and girth check.

General Notes:
1. Judges will make their own notations on various scorecards. (No secretaries) On each judges scorecard, be sure to write in:

• Your name
• Ride name
• A description of the obstacle and location

2. Be sure to write the team # clearly on judge's cards. (For example, depending upon legibility a 51 could be a 57 or a 59.)
3. After each judging point on trail, judge's scorecards are to be sent to ride secretary (via self, driver, mgr, runner) for recording.
4. After the finish line, there will be camp obstacles. Obstacle scoring sheet goes to the secretary.
5. Soundness, at initial check-in, is a simple pass or fail evaluation; be sure to record and score check in presentation.
6. Back and girth at check out, is scored. In camp, horses will be checked for tenderness on back and for girth gauls or obvious tack rubs.
9. Horses displaying Grade 3 lameness or above will not be allowed to start.
Horses will first be observed by one judge. Horses displaying grade 3 lameness must be evaluated by at least two judges before decision to pull team is made.
10. Each judge will adhere to the defined procedure of using the flat palm of the hand with a little heal pressure for evaluating backs, loins and girths. No gouging, poking, digging into the back allowed. Do one side of horse at a time. Rub back and loin twice; rub girth area twice, Examine the "hidden" area behind and under elbows for girth galling.
11. Horses with extremely sore backs, loin or loins and/or girth areas (judges' decision to be used here) will receive penalty points.
12. In judging obstacles and observations, just because a team does not perform the task as you would, if you were riding, does not make it wrong. You are looking for the degree of excellence of performance. For example, unless you specifically ask a team to walk over a log, if they jump it, they are not to be penalized; evaluate how well they did it.
13. Judges may share or split duties.